Elgin-area golf course purchase goes to court

A judge likely will decide how much it will cost the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to buy a golf course just east of Elgin once slated to be developed with houses.

Steve Mayberry, district spokesman, said the district appraised the Rolling Knolls golf course and made an offer, but it was rejected by the course's owners about two months ago.

"Their rejection is one of the newest things to happen," he said.

As a result, the district has hired a private attorney to begin condemnation proceedings in court, Mayberry said.

The course is owned in part by Tim Schneider, who also is a Cook County commissioner.

Schneider, who recused himself several months ago from discussions on buying the course, did not return several phone messages Tuesday.

The county's ethics committee has reviewed Schneider's connections to the land and said it's OK for the district to buy it from him, Mayberry said.

"(The course) will definitely be preserved as open space. It will absolutely not be maintained as a golf course," Mayberry said. "It's a matter of us preserving it in such a way that the residents are able to enjoy it."

In December, Elgin City Council members gave the thumbs up for Hidden Creek at Rolling Knolls, a plan to build 132 houses and townhouses on the 56-acre golf course, 11N260 Rohrssen Road.

Neighbors of the golf course had fought the plan, saying the homes were packed too tightly and it would lead to more traffic, crowded schools and flooding.

In January, Forest Preserve Superintendent Steven Bylina said the district wanted to buy the course instead.